After eight days and a flurry of law enforcement activity, the man believed to have stolen the framed military uniform of a deceased Vietnam veteran has been caught.

However, not all the medals he allegedly stole and tried to pawn have been recovered.

Sean David Smith, a 25-year-old Kalispell transient, was apprehended Friday morning and jailed in the Flathead County Detention Center that afternoon on preliminary charges of theft and criminal contempt.

According to a news release from the Kalispell Police Department, Smith was identified after a local pawn shop released surveillance footage of the man trying to pawn medals from the uniform. A warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest on Monday and all local law enforcement agencies were apprised of the manhunt.

Detective Colton O’Connell with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office contacted Smith and arranged to meet with him Thursday evening, but Smith never showed up.

O’Connell located Smith at 7:30 Friday morning and apprehended him, bringing him to the Kalispell Police Department for an interview during which two of the stolen medals were turned over.

Other medals were turned in by “anonymous associates” of Smith’s.

The nameplate from the shadow box also was recovered.

Still missing are a Bronze Star and Purple Heart as well as the uniform itself and the shadow box that held it. Some items were thrown in trash containers around the Kalispell and Evergreen areas, according to Kalispell police.

Police indicated that Smith showed some remorse while he was being interviewed.

Greg Smith, no relation to Sean, was very happy after hearing that some of his brother James’ items had been recovered. He created the shadow box on the occasion of his brother’s death eight years ago and then displayed it in his Kalispell store, Frame It, before it was stolen on Jan. 9.

“I was hoping to get as much as I could get back and start from there, and even if it was one piece I was going to be happy, so I’m really thrilled they’ve got a couple of pieces and are hoping to get more,” Greg said. “I’m hoping some of the ribbons come back. They’re all original and have the patina to them because they’re old.”

He was particularly pleased with the help he received from law enforcement.

“I’m really thrilled with the response,” Greg said. “Everybody’s been so great. The officers have been a beehive of activity over this, I really appreciate it.”

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].